S9 Ep.26: Flour Power + Overall

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

FLOUR POWER

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

25/11/05

Plot:

It was the end of halloween and the Fat Controller had given Thomas a job to take flour to the bakery with Diesel. Since it was halloween night, Diesel thought it would be fun to tease Thomas. Thomas was cross and so he payed back Diesel by turning himself into a ghost with flour all over him which actually frighten him. In the end Thomas delivered all the flour to the bakery on his own. 

PRO:

- The ERTL Percy and the 2001 poster

CON:

-N/A

There was nothing bad with the episode and it was an OK closer. The plot does seem similar to 'Ghost Train' for a reason and I do like the flour covered Thomas. Plus I do like the use of the ERTL Percy and the '01 poster seen in the boys' room, which was great work by the model makers. The episode is OK in general, but it doesn't feel like a strong storyline. But I like it. 

Rating: 3/5

OVERALL

The second season under the HIT banner and unlike S8 being underrated in my opinion, I think S9 felt weak. It was the start of the awful three strikes formula, though some episode don't seem to have it a lot unlike the CGI series. There were episodes like the Skarloey Railway or Narrow Gauge engines, which ever you prefer, that I find dull and boring and an episode that made me ending up losing respect towards Skarloey and Rheneas until 'Blue Mountain Mystery', which I have to say is the best comeback for the NG engines then the two awful S16 episodes. 

Michael Angelis sound a little bit good and bad with his storytelling but he's getting old. I haven't seen the Michael Brandon version but to be honest, him doing the voices sound nasally and to be honest I remember him doing Skarloey's voice and it was horrible, he almost sound like a clown. I like the man, but he's not a great voice actor, I think he's great as Diesel and its great how they kept him for the role since 'Misty Island Rescue' in the CGI series. 

The music, sounds the same, nice and catchy, but will never be as great as the original composers. The settings were nice and I do like it how they named some locations after the Railway Series, despite that the books were never seen in print at the time, you can see HIT has respect for the classics. In the end, I still find S9 to be weak with its stories. Now that S9 has ended, we'll now move too, Season 10!

OVERALL RATING
54.5/100

S9 Ep.25: Keeping Up With James

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

KEEPING UP WITH JAMES

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

25/11/05

Plot:

It was winter and snow lay all around the tracks, the Fat Controller said that the engine who completed first will pull the 'presents train' to all the children on Sodor. James wanted to pull it but he thinks that with Edward being old he would not pull the train. But in the end, James learn that he must go slow and steady when it comes the frozen weather. 

PRO:

- Moral: Slow and steady

CON:

- They should put sanding gear in the series more often.

HIT had mentioned that some of the Thomas episode that they've produced between 2004-today have the mention of 'Winter Holidays', which caused the controversy of taking the word 'Christmas' out of the series in 2011 because of the DVD 'Little Engine Big Day Out' from 2007, which has this episode on it by the way. I remember, as I heard, that most people blamed this episode because of it, but giving it a watch, I don't see any harm. Sure there is the appearance of the Christmas tree at Knapford, but it didn't get a mention. It turns out it was the learning segment that caused it, when Thomas was delivering the tree to Peel Station and that Michael Angelis says 'You always see a tree during the winter holidays.' Anyway, I'm not going through a religious debate about it. 

As of this episode in my views, its not bad but certainly not my cup of tea. I do like how the episode was given a moral about being 'slow and steady', which was the ending of this episode. But to add some railway realism, they should put sanding gears on the engines. I don't really watch this episode that much when it comes close to Christmas, it is more of a winter themed episode, with Christmas trees around it, but hey shops all over the word put trees up since October so maybe the people behind the sets decided to put it there to make it accurate? I don't know.

Rating: 2.5/5

  

S9 Ep.24: Thomas and The Golden Eagle

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

18/11/05

Plot:

A golden eagle has been spotted at Bluff's Cove and Emily was taking the bird watchers. While Thomas and Percy were busy taking milk and stone. Thomas wanted to see the eagle and so he left Percy to take his trucks. Thomas was unsuccessful in the end and forgotten about Percy and was sorry. But in the end, the two got a surprise.  

PRO:

- The two eagles were crafted well 

CON:

- Thomas not caring that his job is more important then a bird.

Not a great episode. I don't know why the writers just let Thomas gallivant off looking for something then doing their work, which in this episode, Thomas did realise his mistake, as in other episodes, despite that he doesn't learn them again. But the only thing good about this episode is the two eagles, you have to admire the model makers making the animals life like. 

 Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.23: Saving Edward

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

SAVING EDWARD

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

18/11/05

Plot:

Edward was feeling old once again and has a fear of getting scrapped because he doesn't feel useful anymore. When he was given the task of hauling fruits and vegetables, he asked Thomas to take for him after his shunting. But the Fat Controller was cross and Thomas told him that Edward has 'the wrong sort of coal' in the end, the Fat Controller told Edward he has no plans to scrap the old blue engine. 

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- This episode of Edward proving useful are getting tired to watch.

The episode is just a drag and didn't even bother watching it. We all know since the first season that Edward is an old engine but can prove to be useful to the other engines. These are really getting to be a bore and I rather watch 'Edward's Exploit' as it shows Edward's usefulness as a whole.

Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.22: Skarloey The Brave

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

SKARLOEY THE BRAVE

Written by
Paul Larson 

Directed by
Steve Asquith 

Air Date:
11/11/05

Plot:
Skarloey was embarrassed after running away from some trucks and wants to prove he is brave

 PRO:

- N/A

CON:

- Skarloey acting young

- Why was the incline used for coal? 

The episode that made ending up hating Skarloey and the narrow gauge engines in the new series before his (Skarloey's) persona was repaired in 'Blue Mountain Mystery'. The writing for the episodes tarnished the older engines in the series. Skarloey is one of the examples of why fans are demanding for the writing to be changed. Skarloey is well over 100 years old and he should at least know that he is brave enough. I'm happy that 'Blue Mountain Mystery' restored Skarloey's true persona thanks to Andrew Brenner. As on the incline using coal, I don't know why they used that instead of slate. 

Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.21: Bold and Brave

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BOLD AND BRAVE

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

11/11/05

Plot:

Thomas was frightened by Diesel because of 'The curse of the cliffs'. However, Thomas noticed that Diesel was lying to him in the end. 

PRO:

- It was nice to see Bill having a role

CON:

- Thomas should've known not to be fooled by Diesel

This episode I believe tries its best to be good. It was nice to see Bill having a role again, even if its short. I know he should be working at the China Clay mine or the quarry but they had other jobs away from the mines before. However there is one con, Thomas has known Diesel for years, so he should know now that he should not be fooled by him. But in the end, the episode is OK, despite the three strikes. 

Rating: 3/5

S9 Ep.20: Duncan and The Old Mine

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

DUNCAN AND THE OLD MINE

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

4/11/05

Plot:

Duncan was hoping to take some holiday makers to Culdee mine. But the job was given to Bertie and Duncan is to bring coal trucks to the transfer yards with Rusty. On his way, Duncan spotted an old disused mine and wanted to go in their. But he was trapped and had to find his way out again until he spotted some coal trucks. 

PRO:

- Despite being a fictional name its nice to hear 'Culdee' a RWS reference 

CON:

- It would take more then a barrier to block a tunnel.

- Duncan's driver would have some common sense.

- The episode should've been called 'Duncan and The Old Tunnel'

An episode that is not worth the watch, its alright, but not worth it. It would take more of barrier to stop an engine from heading into a mine. They could've built gates around it. Plus the mine shaft is nothing like a mine, they should've called the episode 'Duncan and The Old Tunnel'. Though despite the bad things about this episode, it was nice to hear another RWS reference. Even though it was a location that is made up and didn't exist in the books, its nice to hear that 'Culdee' got a mention. Even though its not the engine. The episode is OK, but it needed some work. 

Rating: 2.5/5

S9 Ep.19: Thomas' New Trucks

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS' NEW TRUCKS

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

4/11/05

Plot:

Thomas wanted new trucks like James, but they were troublesome and rude and they want to get dirty.

PRO:

- The trucks are really colourful

- The return of Bill and Ben 

CON:

- Why would Thomas and James have their own trucks? 

- Why would they bother having them clean?

Another bad episode, sure Thomas, Toby, Duck and Oliver have their own coaches, but why would an engine have their own trucks? Many engines use the same kind of trucks all the time no matter who owns them and why would Thomas and James be bothered about getting them clean? Trucks get dirty all the time. But I have to say the trucks were really colourful and it was great seeing Bill and Ben again, despite being their for a short period. 

Rating: 2/5

S9 Ep.18: Thomas' Day Off

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE 

THOMAS' DAY OFF

Written by

Sharon Miller

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

28/10/05

Plot:

A new engine named Dennis was lazy and wanted Thomas to do his jobs for him on his day off. 

PRO:

- N/A

CON:

- Why would an engine have a day off and goes off on the railway? 

- Toby would've been more suitable for Thomas' role. 

Even though I find Sharon Miller's 'Thomas and The Birthday Picnic' decent, I have to say that this episode is bad! Thomas having a day off and yet goes to places around the railways. If an engine is to have a day off, it should stay in the shed not going about to do things. Plus I don't know why the episode has to have Thomas in it? Sure he's the main character but Toby is more suitable in this role. For Dennis, many people think Daisy is more suitable, I don't think so as she promised never to be lazy again at the end of 'Percy's Predicament'. I find Diesel or D261 more suitable for Dennis' role. 

Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.17: Emily Knows Best

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

EMILY KNOWS BEST

Written by

Marc Seal

Directed by

Steve Asquith

Air Date:

28/10/05

Plot: 

Emily was playing as 'The Queen' while she was visiting the castle with some holiday makers. However things were a muddle for her in the end. 

PRO:

- Toby's true persona

- The camera shaking 

CON:

- The laugh of the trucks was awful

- A derailment from telegraph would never swoop Toby off the track

The episode is average. I do like how they put Toby's real persona in about being wise and I do like the effect of the camera shaking. But I hate the new laugh track they give to the trucks it makes them sound creepy and the derailment for Toby was quite unrealistic. 

Rating: 2/5

S9 Ep.16: Henry and The Flagpole

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

HENRY AND THE FLAGPOLE

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by 

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

21/10/05

Plot:

Henry had accidentally bump into the flatbed with the new flagpole for the scottish castle and Salty accidentally crushing it. Henry felt down and even the tall pine tree, his favourite, couldn't help him to cheer up. Toby said that sometimes pine trees can be made into flagpoles. But Henry didn't agree and so he tried to stop the workmen for 'cutting it down', but the Fat Controller has other plans for the tree.  

PRO:

- Henry's love for trees is still around.

CON:

- Toby should know that the tree is Henry's favourite.

- This episode should be for Donald and Douglas. 

To be honest, this episode is weak, it has the usual three strikes formula and this episode should be perfect for Donald and Douglas, those two characters take pride in their scottish heritage and they love the castle as it remind them of their home, Scotland. But with HIT's 'Steam Team' we see Henry having the role. But I like it how Henry still has love for the trees and forest with him, despite some of his persona changes and I do like it how they added Trevor for scene even if it is only for one second, but as I stated many times, character returns does not make an episode great nor does it make the series great. It's only the story that can do good. But despite those good points, this episode is not great. 

Rating: 2/5

S9 Ep.15: Thomas and The Statue

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS AND THE STATUE 

Written by

Marc Seal 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

21/10/05

Plot:

Thomas was chosen for the job to take a statue to the. However, he was boasting to the others that the statue was of him and all the engines don't want to take to him about it. But it turns out it was all different. 

PRO:

- The classic persona of Thomas about 'his statue'. 

- Thomas being mature about his snowplough.

CON:

- Why was the statue covered in snow? 

The episode is OK to me, I like how Thomas was being boastful about his statue as it shows a bit of classic persona like from the early years and I do like it how Thomas is being mature about his snowplough, despite the persona changes over the years during the HIT era of the series, some persona changes can work well such as Gordon being OK pulling trucks. But I don't know why the statue has to be covered in snow? 

Rating: 3/5

S9 Ep.14: The Magic Lamp

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THE MAGIC LAMP

Written by

Sharon Miller

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

16/10/05

Plot:

While Peter Sam is to take the parts for the incline, Skarloey told the story about an old engine named Proteus. Peter Sam didn't believe his tale and he scoffed away. 

PRO:

CON:

- Proteus, pointless character

- Why would a headlamp be magical? 

- Three strikes

- The incline is used for slate not coal. 

In all honesty, I hate this episode. Their is another pointless character just to sell merchandise with just a waste of yellow paint on the Sir Handel model. Plus why would a headlamp be magical, magic doesn't exist. Sure the Island of Sodor is place of fiction, but it inspires the imagination not magic. As of course it gives us three strikes. This episode is really not worth the watch. 

Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.13: Thomas Tries His Best

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS TRIES HIS BEST

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

16/10/05

Plot:

Thomas is to take Farmer McColl's chickens to the docks but he wanted to see the fair ground! But Thomas thought that his job comes first before seeing the fair. 

PRO:

- Moral: Work comes first

-Realism with the tail lamps

CON:

N/A

This is another good episode, the moral was great as it teaches kids that work can come first before playing and I love the realism of the tail lamps on the vans and the flatbed. 

Rating: 4/5

S9 Ep.12: Toby Feels Left Out

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE 

TOBY FEELS LEFT OUT

Written by

Simon A. Brown 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

9/10/05

Plot:

A new museum is to be opened and all the engines are needed for their repaint. However, Toby wasn't informed about it and thought the Fat Controller was going to put him into the museum as he's an old engine. 

PRO:

- The museum carriage 

CON:

- Poor moral: Old people can be no hopers

- Toby was out of character

- Despite the good looking museum carriage, why can't he pull Henrietta?

A poor episode, Toby is out of character in this episode. Back in the old days of Thomas & Friends, the Fat Controller saved Toby from the closure of his old railway. Why on earth would Toby be scared that the Fat Controller would put him into the museum, this gives out a poor teaching moral to kids saying that old people would have no hope in the modern world? I've seen many old people, heck even my mum and dad. They're wise, friendly and I love hearing about their days when they were young, they may not know a lot, but I still enjoy hearing from them. 

The museum carriage is great, but it was a repainted red carriage when you look at it. But despite the spot on carriage, why couldn't he use Henrietta? That is his carriage and he takes her everywhere.

Rating: 1/5

S9 Ep.11: Thomas and The New Engine

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS AND THE NEW ENGINE

Written by

Marc Seal 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

9/10/05

Plot:

A new engine named Neville arrived on the Island of Sodor. However Thomas saw him with 'Arry and Bert and he thought they were having a laugh. When Thomas told James, rumours went around and the engines started to dislike Neville. Meanwhile Thomas was to help the workmen to fix a broken bridge and was surprised to see Neville with Annie and Clarabel. However neither Thomas or Emily talked to him and felt left out. In the end, Toby told Thomas and Emily, from Salty, that 'Arry and Bert were laughing at him. Neville was dangling across the broken bridge and Thomas saved him and his coaches. 

PRO:

- Moral: Don't spread rumours. 

CON:

- Neville was given one dialogue in three scenes. 

- Edward would never like the engines to spread the rumour of Neville.

- A broken bridge would never hold Neville's weight.

Another poor episode. I like the basis they chose Neville, but its a shame that he was not used as much until his one second of fame in S12. He was never given a reason why he came to the Island in the first place and neither a personality. I also hate how he was given one dialogue in three scenes, two 'Hello' and 'Thank you!' it would be better if they give him more dialogue or focus the episode on him like they did to their other pointless character, Mighty Mac. Plus, Edward, the writer really butchered his persona up. A rumour was going around about the new engine, but he was one of them that started it. That's not the true Edward, like I said in previous HIT-era episodes, Edward is suppose to be kind and wise not teasing or spreading rumours about a new engine. And there's the bridge scene, it was just unrealistic. Though I do like the moral support of this episode about not spreading rumours. But to me this episode is just poor and they should've give Neville the entire episode himself. 

Rating: 1/5     

S9 Ep.10: Rheneas and The Dinosaur

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

RHENEAS AND THE DINOSAUR 

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

2/10/05

Plot:

Dinosaur bones were found in the hills of Sodor and Rheneas was chosen to pull the train due to gentle shunting. But Skarloey was disappointed but it was due to excitement that he was rough with the trucks. However, Rheneas needs help from Skarloey after all. 

PRO:

- The Dinosaur bones were impressive 

CON:

- Skarloey should be wise enough to know that he can shunt trucks carefully.

- Rheneas should be wise enough to know that he's suppose to share the load.

And this is where I begin to hate the new personas of Skarloey and Rheneas. Skarloey has been shunting trucks all his life and he should at least know how to handle them carefully and Rheneas should also be wise enough to know that he needs to share the load whether the load is heavy or not. I'm glad that there persona's have now changed since 'Blue Mountain Mystery'. The dinosaur bones were impressive, but that doesn't make the episode worth the watch. 

Rating: 1/5  

S9 Ep.9: Tuneful Toots

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

TUNEFUL TOOTS

Written by
Sharon Miller

Directed by
Steve Asquith 

Air Date:
25/09/05

Plot:
Before the Fat Controller and Lady Hatt arrive for the party, Rusty is to take the brass band around the hills. But later on, he ran out of fuel and stopped and he needed to get to the concert! So Rusty and the brass band played music and the narrow gauge engines brought the two controllers and Lady Hatt up towards the lake. 

PRO:
- A two tone horn, nice feature for a diesel engine.

CON:
- Rusty's horn sound was getting annoying

The episode is not great but OK. I have to admit the two horn sound was really getting annoying but it was a nice feature in the show, many diesels in the UK have two toned horns. 

Rating: 3/5 

S9 Ep.8: Thomas and The Birthday Picnic

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE 

THOMAS AND THE BIRTHDAY PICNIC

Written by

Sharon Miller

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

25/09/05

Plot:

It was Dowager Hatt's, the Fat Controller Birthday and the Fat Controller chose Thomas to take them for a birthday picnic, however with the field being plower, the castle being repaired and giving them the most uncomfortable ride. But in the end Thomas and his friends gave Dowager Hatt the best birthday party ever. 

PRO:
- The three strikes isn't that bad to be honest
- Great to see that The Fat Controller's mother was given a name

CON:

- Why can't the Fat Controller decided a place for his mother and not one of his engines.

- You can hear the rhyming and alliteration in this episode. 

I find this episode a decent one and yet it was Sharon Miller's first contribution towards the show. The three strikes aren't that bad but they will of course be painfully oblivious to see between S13-16. However you can hear the early stages of rhyming and alliteration in this episode mainly at the end. 

Rating: 3/5  

S9 Ep.7: Respect For Gordon

THESE ARE SOLY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE 

RESPECT FOR GORDON

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

18/09/05

Plot:

Gordon's firebox is making noise and this made the other engines teasing. Gordon had enough and wanted all the engines to show him respect. However he had an accident with some tanker wagons of jam. 

PRO:

- I like how they showed Gordon's sign of old age.

CON:

- In reality, I believe fireboxes don't gurgle. 

- There would've been an explanation of the tanker wagons

- Henry and Emily should know that the express is heavy.

The episode is OK, it tried its best. I do love how they show the signs of old age to Gordon, but with his rattled firebox, I'm pretty sure with firebox problems it would be like low steam pressure or something. Plus there would've been an explanation of why the tanker wagons were left on the main line. As with Emily and Henry's criticism about the express being heavy, they should at least know that it's heavy. Henry had been pulling the express for years in the RWS and TV series and Emily had pulled the express for Gordon in Season 8. But then again, this episode is OK. 

Rating: 3/5